Ricky Hatton dead: Body of former world boxing champion, 46, found at home

Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester. The British fighter was involved in some incredible bouts during his career

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Ricky Hatton, the former world boxing champion, has tragically been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester. Throughout his boxing career, he held numerous world championships, along with UK titles, and was honored as Fighter of the Year in 2015.

The fighter, born in Stockport, was 46 years old. A police cordon is currently set up at his residence on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the discovery of a body and stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious, reports the Manchester Evening News.

This heartbreaking news arrives just months after the legendary pugilist, who previously took on Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, announced his comeback to boxing with a fight scheduled for December in Dubai.

A spokesperson for GMP stated: "We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious."

Hatton famously became world champion by beating Kostya Tszyu, who was regarded as one of the best boxers in the world, in 2005.

He moved up to welterweight before returning to light-welterweight to fight Mayweather in the biggest fight of his career. But the Brit was beaten in the 10th round when his corner threw in the towel after being knocked to the ground.

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The defeat severely impacted Hatton and he admitted to never truly recovering. In 2009, he suffered a devastating second-round loss to Pacquiao before taking a three-year break from boxing.

He returned to face Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012, undergoing a significant weight transformation, but was floored in the ninth round by a brutal body shot. Hatton subsequently announced his retirement from the ring immediately afterwards.

But earlier this year, he announced his plans to come out of retirement to take on Eisa Al Dah in Dubai in December, having only fought in exhibition bouts since.

Hatton said at the time: "I’m very much looking forward to it myself. What you’re trying to do there for boxing in Dubai is fantastic.

"Hopefully this will be a spinoff for more events for you to have over there and hopefully we can get the ball rolling with a bang.